FDA Warns About Consumer Devices That Claim to Diagnose Concussion

Consumer devices that claim to help assess, diagnose or manage concussion and other head injuries are unproven and illegal, and using them could pose serious health risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

"I want to be clear, there are currently no devices to aid in assessing concussion that should be used by consumers on their own. Using such devices can result in an incorrect diagnosis after a head injury that could lead a person with a serious injury to return to their normal activities instead of seeking critical medical care, putting them at greater danger," Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, director, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in an FDA news release.

The products the FDA is concerned about products that claim to assess and diagnose changes in brain function by having a person who's suffered a head injury do tests on a smartphone or tablet-based app to detect changes in physical or mental function including vision, concentration, memory, balance and speech.

Some of those apps are marketed to coaches and parents for use during sporting events.

"Products being marketed for the assessment, diagnosis, or management of a head injury, including concussion, that have not been approved or cleared by the FDA are in violation of the law," Shuren said.

"The FDA has alerted companies to our concerns and asked them to remove such claims. We will continue to monitor the marketplace for devices making these unsubstantiated claims and are prepared to take further action if necessary," he added.

If a concussion or other head injury is suspected, the person should be brought to a health care professional for immediate treatment, the FDA advised.